Systems and Methods to Manage Video Chat Contacts

• US 20130293664A1
• Filed: 05/02/2012
• Published: 11/07/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 05/02/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Malikie Innovations Limited (Key Patent Innovations Limited)
• Original Assignee: Blackberry Limited
• Inventors: Rozinov, Boris, Tsang, Thomas Calum, Williams, Matthew David Douglas
• Granted Patent: US 8,913,099 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 348/14.03
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/1827 Network arrangements for conference optimisation or adaptation
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/141 between two video terminals, e.g. videophone telephonic communication systems combined with television receiver for reception of entertainment or information matter H04M11/085

Abstract

Systems and methods are provided to automatically discover if an email address contact is video chat capable. A server receives a request from an electronic device to determine video chat capability associated with an email address. It compares the email address with a listing of email addresses, wherein the listing includes email addresses associated with other electronic devices having video chat capability. If an entry in the listing matches the email address, it returns a message configured to automatically enable addition of the email address as a video chat contact on the electronic device.

Claims

1. A method performed by a server, to manage video chat contacts, comprising:

receiving a request from an electronic device to determine video chat capability associated with an email address;

comparing the email address with a listing of email addresses, wherein the listing includes email addresses associated with other electronic devices having video chat capability; and

if an entry in the listing matches the email address, returning a message to the electronic device.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the message is configured to enable addition of the email address as a video chat contact on the electronic device.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein the server only stores information related to the video chat contacts.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein each one of the email addresses is associated with a device ID, identifying a given electronic device of the other electronic devices.

5. The method of claim 4 wherein information about video hardware capability of the given electronic device is derived from the device ID.

6. The method of claim 1 wherein the server includes availability information stored in association with each one of the email addresses.

7. The method of claim 1 further comprising, after receiving the request, determining if the electronic device is video chat capable, and if so, comparing the email address with the listing of email addresses.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein if it is determined the electronic device is not video chat capable, taking no further action.

9. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

after receiving the request, determining if the electronic device is registered with the video chat server, and if so, comparing the email address with the listing of email addresses.

10. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

after receiving the request, determining if the electronic device is not registered with the video chat server, and if not, sending an other message to the electronic device prompting activation of video chat service.

11. The method of claim 10 further comprising:

after determining the electronic device is not registered with the video chat server, comparing the email address with the listing of email addresses; and

,

if an entry in the listing matches the email address, the other message further indicating that the email address is associated with a contact that is capable of video chat.

12. A method performed by an electronic device, to add a video chat contact, comprising:

displaying a graphical user interface including an email address field;

receiving an email address in the email address field;

sending the email address to a video chat server;

receiving a message from the video chat server indicating that the email address is associated with another electronic device having video chat capability; and

adding the email address to a video chat contact list.

13. The method of claim 12 further comprising:

after receiving the message, populating a video chat address field in the graphical user interface with the email address.

14. The method of claim 12 wherein if the electronic device is not registered with the video chat server, the electronic device receiving another message prompting activation of video chat service.

15. The method of claim 14 wherein the other message includes an indication that the email address is associated with a contact that is capable of video chat.

16. The method of claim 12 further comprising:

displaying an End User License Agreement (EULA) to activate a video chat service;

receiving an input accepting the EULA; and

sending a registration to the video chat server, including an email address of the electronic device.

17. The method of claim 16 wherein the registration further includes a device ID of the electronic device.

18. A method performed by an electronic device to add a video chat contact, comprising:

sending an email address to a video chat server;

receiving a message from the video chat server indicating that the email address is associated with another electronic device having video chat capability; and

adding the email address to a video chat contact list.

19. The method of claim 18 wherein multiple email addresses are sent to the video chat server.

20. The method of claim 19 wherein the multiple email addresses are obtained from a social networking server.

21. The method of claim 19, wherein at least part of the multiple email addresses are sent to the video chat server periodically.

22. The method of claim 18, wherein the email address is sent to the video chat server after logging into the electronic device.